Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Monday November 3

Former Islanders were busy yet again despite a slow 3 game night around the NHL. FIs made boxscore contributions in 2 of those tilts and newsworthies in the other one. Here is a look:

New Jersey backup goaltender Kevin Weekes gave a noble effort in his first start of the season but the Devils' lack of offense let him down as the visiting Buffalo Sabres walked out of Trenton with a 2-0 victory. Weekes stopped 28 of 30 shots, including 19 of 20 in the 1st period, to keep his team in it throughout. Weekes is now 0-1-0 on the season with a 2.00 goals against average and a .933 save percentage. The next Devils game is on Wednesday and with all the silence shrouding the elbow injury to starter Martin Brodeur it looks like Weekes may be starting at lesat another competition.

Congratulations to Columbus Blue Jackets' center Michael Peca who played in his 800th career game last night against none other than the Isles - a 4-3 OT win for the Orange and Blue. Peca did not make an offensive impact but he did log over 16 and a half minutes in his 7th game of the season. Peca would likely have reached the 800 game milestone a couple of seasons ago had it not been for serious injuries sidelining him for extensive stretches. Speaking of injuries, winger Raffi Torres returned from his most recent one after suffering a shoulder boo boo on opening night. Torres was not expected back until mid-November but made enough strides physically to return sooner. Torres clocked nearly 17 minutes of ice time and took 4 shots.

Chicago defenseman Aaron Johnson received a secondary assist on the team's 2nd goal as the Blackhawks thumped the visiting Colorado Avalanche 6-2. Johnson snapped a 3 game point-less stretch and now has 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points on 10 games. Contributing for the Avs was winger Ryan Smyth who received the primary assist on their 2nd goal. Smyth also snapped a recent 3 game point drought and now has 8 points on 4 goals and 4 assists. Smyth has suited up for all 12 Colorado games this season.